History (Indian & World)

1. Ancient Indian History

This section covers the Indus Valley Civilization, the Vedic period, ancient dynasties like the Mauryas, and major cultural and religious developments.

1. The Harappan civilisation belongs to :
   (A) Bronze Age
   (B) Neolithic Age
   (C) Palaeolithic Age
   (D) Iron Age
   Answer: (A) Bronze Age
   Explanation: The Harappan civilization is classified as a Bronze Age civilization due to the extensive use of bronze tools and artifacts.
2. The main occupation of the people of Indus Valley Civilization was:
   (A) Trade
   (B) Cattle rearing
   (C) Hunting
   (D) Agriculture
   Answer: (D) Agriculture
   Explanation: Agriculture was the primary occupation, with evidence of cultivation of wheat, barley, and cotton.
3. The Indus Valley people worshipped 1
   (A) Fire
   (B) Mother Goddess
   (C) Sun God
   (D) Water God
   Answer: (B) Mother Goddess
   Explanation: Numerous terracotta figurines of females have been found, suggesting the worship of a Mother Goddess was common.
4. सिन्धु घाटी सभ्यता का सबसे प्रसिद्ध देवता कौन थ (Who was the most famous deity of the Indus Valley Civilization?)
   (a) अग्नि (Agni)
   (b) पशुपति (Pashupati)
   (c) इन्द्र (Indra)
   (d) विष्ण (Vishnu)
   Answer: (b) पशुपति (Pashupati)
   Explanation: The Pashupati seal, depicting a seated figure surrounded by animals, is a prominent artifact suggesting the worship of a proto-Shiva figure in the Indus Valley Civilization.
5. Which of the following statements regarding early Aryans is NOT correct? 1
   (A) They were Sanskrit speaking people
   (B) They were horse-riding people
   (C) They came to India in several waves
   (D) They lived mainly in the cities.
   Answer: (D) They lived mainly in the cities.
   Explanation: Early Vedic Aryans had a pastoral and semi-nomadic lifestyle and did not live in large urban centers.
6. आर्य निम्नलिखित का प्रयोग नहीं जानते थे- (The Aryans did not know the use of which of the following-)
   (a) घोडा (Horse)
   (b) कवच (Armour)
   (c) लोहा (Iron)
   (d) इनमें से कोई नहीं (None of these)
   Answer: (d) इनमें से कोई नहीं (None of these)
   Explanation: Historical evidence shows the Indo-Aryans introduced and used iron technology, and there is no evidence they were unaware of horses or armor (kavach).
7. वैदिक युग में धार्मिक अनुष्ठान के समय किस पेय को लिया जाता था? (Which drink was consumed during religious rituals in the Vedic era?)
   (a) सुर (Sura)
   (b) सोम (Soma)
   (c) मधु (Madhu)
   (d) घी (Ghee)
   Answer: (b) सोम (Soma)
   Explanation: Soma was a sacred plant-based drink consumed by priests during Vedic rituals for its valued exhilarating effects.
8. Who among the following was not a celestial god in the Rigvedic period? 1
   (a) Dyaus
   (b) Varuna
   (c) Indra
   (d) Surya
   Answer: (c) Indra
   Explanation: In the Vedic pantheon, Dyaus (sky), Varuna (cosmic order), and Surya (sun) are celestial deities. Indra, the king of gods, is categorized as an atmospheric or terrestrial deity, associated with thunder and rain.
9. गायत्री मंत्र किसका एक अंश है? (The Gayatri Mantra is a part of which text?)
   (a) ऋग्वेद का (Of Rigveda)
   (b) यजुर्वेद का (Of Yajurveda)
   (c) सामवेद का (Of Samaveda)
   (d) अथर्ववेद का (Of Atharvaveda)
   Answer: (a) ऋग्वेद का (Of Rigveda)
   Explanation: The Gayatri Mantra is a highly revered mantra from the Rigveda (Mandala 3.62.10).
10. महाभारत मूल रूप से जाना जाता था- (The Mahabharata was originally known as-)
    (a) वृहतकथा के रूप में (as Vrihatkatha)
    (b) कथा सरित्सागर के रूप में (as Katha Saritsagara)
    (c) जयसंहिता के रूप में (as Jaya Samhita)
    (d) राजतरंगिणी के रूप में (as Rajatarangini)
    Answer: (c) जयसंहिता के रूप में (as Jaya Samhita)
    Explanation: The original, shorter version of the Mahabharata, composed by Sage Vyasa, was known as ‘Jaya Samhita’, meaning “The Book of Victory”.
11. जैन धर्म का संस्थापक कौन था? (Who was the founder of Jainism?)
    (a) ऋषभदेव (Rishabhadeva)
    (b) भद्रबाहु (Bhadrabahu)
    (c) पाश्वनाथ (Parshvanatha)
    (d) महावीर (Mahavira)
    Answer: (d) महावीर (Mahavira)
    Explanation: While part of a lineage of 24 Tirthankaras, Vardhamana Mahavira is widely regarded as the founder who revived and reformed the core tenets of contemporary Jainism.
12. Sanchi is famous for:
    (A) Rock-cut temples
    (B) Largest Buddhist Stupa
    (C) Cave paintings
    (D) The rock edicts of Ashoka
    Answer: (B) Largest Buddhist Stupa
    Explanation: Sanchi is renowned for its Great Stupa, one of the oldest stone structures in India, commissioned by the emperor Ashoka.
13. अजन्ता की चित्रकला दृश्यों को चित्रित करती है- (The paintings of Ajanta depict scenes from-)
    (a) रामायण से (from Ramayana)
    (b) महाभारत से (from Mahabharata)
    (c) जातक से (from Jataka)
    (d) उपनिषद से (from Upanishads)
    Answer: (c) जातक से (from Jataka)
    Explanation: The paintings in the Ajanta Caves primarily depict scenes from the Jataka tales, which are stories about the previous lives of the Buddha.
14. मौर्य वंश के उत्तराधिकारी कौन थे? (Who were the successors of the Mauryan dynasty?)
    (a) शक (Shakas)
    (b) सातवाहन (Satavahanas)
    (c) कुषाण (Kushans)
    (d) शुंग (Shungas)
    Answer: (d) शुंग (Shungas)
    Explanation: The Mauryan Empire was succeeded by the Shunga dynasty, established by Pushyamitra Shunga who assassinated the last Mauryan emperor, Brihadratha.
15. अशोक ने बौद्ध-धर्म के प्रचार के के लिए श्री लंका में किसे भेजा था? (Whom did Ashoka send to Sri Lanka to propagate Buddhism?)
    (a) कौटिल्य (Kautilya)
    (b) पुश्यमित्र (Pushyamitra)
    (c) बाणभट्ट (Banabhatta)
    (d) महेन्द्र (Mahendra)
    Answer: (d) महेन्द्र (Mahendra)
    Explanation: Emperor Ashoka sent his son, Mahendra, and daughter, Sanghamitra, to Sri Lanka to propagate Buddhism.
16. ‘Charaka’ was the court physician of 1
    (A) Harsha
    (B) Chandragupta Maurya
    (C) Ashoka
    (D) Kanishka
    Answer: (D) Kanishka
    Explanation: Charaka, one of the principal contributors to Ayurveda, was the court physician of the Kushan emperor Kanishka.
17. The Pandyan Capital was:
    (A) Kanchi
    (B) Madurai
    (C) Kaveripattnam
    (D) Tiruchv
    Answer: (B) Madurai
    Explanation: Madurai was the historic capital of the Pandyan dynasty.
18. Which of the following was NOT a centre of learning in ancient India? 1
    (A) Taxila
    (B) Vikramashila
    (C) Nalanda
    (D) Kosambi
    Answer: (D) Kosambi
    Explanation: While Kosambi was an important ancient city, Taxila, Vikramashila, and Nalanda were renowned as major centers of learning and universities.
19. ‘राजतरंगिणी’ क्या है? (‘Rajatarangini’ is what?)
    (a) कबीर की वृत्तियों का संग्रह (A collection of Kabir’s works)
    (b) गुरुनानक द्वारा लिखी गई पुस्तक (A book written by Guru Nanak)
    (c) कल्हण द्वारा इतिहास पर लिखी गई पुस्तक (A book on history written by Kalhana)
    (d) शिवाजी के परिवार की मशहूर तलवार (The famous sword of Shivaji’s family)
    Answer: (c) कल्हण द्वारा इतिहास पर लिखी गई पुस्तक (A book on history written by Kalhana)
    Explanation: ‘Rajatarangini’ is a historical chronicle of the kings of Kashmir, written in Sanskrit by the historian Kalhana in the 12th century.
20. ‘भारतीय विधि’ को देने वाला महान् भारतीय कौन था? (Which great Indian was the giver of ‘Indian Law’?)
    (a) कौटिल्य (Kautilya)
    (b) मनु (Manu)
    (c) वात्सयायन (Vatsyayana)
    (d) कपिल (Kapila)
    Answer: (b) मनु (Manu)
    Explanation: Manu is traditionally credited with authoring the Manusmriti (Laws of Manu), an ancient legal text and constitution among the many Dharmaśāstras of Hinduism.
21. ‘अर्थशास्त्र’ पुस्तक है- (‘Arthashastra’ is a book on-)
    (a) धर्म पर (on Religion)
    (b) विदेशी नीति पर (on Foreign Policy)
    (c) प्रशासन पर (on Administration)
    (d) आर्थिक विकास पर (on Economic Development)
    Answer: (c) प्रशासन पर (on Administration)
    Explanation: Kautilya’s “Arthashastra” is an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy, essentially a manual on administration.
22. Who was the author of the famous story book “Panchtantra”? 1
    (A) Tulsi Das
    (B) Kalidas
    (C) Vishnu Sharma
    (D) Chanakya
    Answer: (C) Vishnu Sharma
    Explanation: The Panchatantra is an ancient Indian collection of interrelated animal fables in Sanskrit verse and prose, widely attributed to the scholar Vishnu Sharma.
23. निम्नलिखित में से किसने यह स्पष्ट किया कि पृथ्वी सूरज के चारों तरफ घूमती है? (Who among the following clarified that the Earth revolves around the Sun?)
    (a) आर्यभट्ट (Aryabhata)
    (b) वात्सयान (Vatsyayana)
    (c) सुसरुता (Sushruta)
    (d) विष्णु गुप्त (Vishnu Gupta)
    Answer: (a) आर्यभट्ट (Aryabhata)
    Explanation: The ancient Indian astronomer Aryabhata proposed a heliocentric model where the Earth spins on its axis and revolves around the Sun.
24. ‘सत्यमेव जयते’ कहाँ से लिया गया है? (‘Satyameva Jayate’ is taken from where?)
    (a) भगवद् गीता से (From Bhagavad Gita)
    (b) मुण्डकोपनिषद से (From Mundaka Upanishad)
    (c) कठोपनिषद से (From Katha Upanishad)
    (d) वाल्मीकि रामायण से (From Valmiki Ramayana)
    Answer: (b) मुण्डकोपनिषद से (From Mundaka Upanishad)
    Explanation: “Satyameva Jayate” (Truth alone triumphs) is the national motto of India and is taken from a mantra in the Hindu scripture Mundaka Upanishad.
25. ‘Satyameva Jayate’ has been taken from 1
    (A) Rigveda
    (B) Sama Veda
    (C) Mundaka Upanishad
    (D) None of these
    Answer: (C) Mundaka Upanishad
    Explanation: “Satyameva Jayate” (Truth alone triumphs) is a mantra from the ancient Indian scripture Mundaka Upanishad.

2. Medieval Indian History

This section covers the Delhi Sultanate, the Mughal Empire, the Vijayanagara Empire, and other regional kingdoms.

1. The maximum number of Mongol Invasions took place during the reign of 1
   (A) Balban
   (B) Alauddin Khilji
   (C) Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq
   (D) Firoj Tughlaq
   Answer: (B) Alauddin Khilji
   Explanation: Alauddin Khilji’s reign saw the most frequent and large-scale Mongol invasions of India.
2. निम्नलिखित में से किस शासक ने सर्वप्रथम कृषि विभाग स्थापित किया? (Which of the following rulers first established an agriculture department?)
   (a) अलाउद्दीन खिलजी (Alauddin Khilji)
   (b) मुहम्मद बिन तुगलक (Muhammad Bin Tughlaq)
   (c) फिरोजशाह (Firoz Shah)
   (d) शेरशाह (Sher Shah)
   Answer: (b) मुहम्मद बिन तुगलक (Muhammad Bin Tughlaq)
   Explanation: Muhammad Bin Tughlaq established a dedicated department of agriculture, known as Diwan-i-Amir Kohi, to improve cultivation.
3. The first Vijayanagar King who concluded treaties with the Portuguese was :
   (A) Harihara
   (B) Bukko
   (C) Devaraya II
   (D) Krishnadevaraya
   Answer: (D) Krishnadevaraya
   Explanation: Krishnadevaraya maintained friendly relations and established trade treaties with the Portuguese.
4. In the Vijayanagar empire ” Kaikkolag” were.
   (a) Ministers
   (b) Soldiers
   (c) Weavers
   (d) Peasants
   Answer: (c) Weavers
   Explanation: In the Vijayanagara Empire, the term “Kaikkolas” referred to a community of weavers.
5. Who buit the famous Gol Gumbaj at Bijapur? 1
   (a) Muhammad Adil Shah
   (b) Yusuf Adil Shah
   (c) Ismail Adil Shah
   (d) Ibrahim Adil Shah
   Answer: (a) Muhammad Adil Shah
   Explanation: The Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur, Karnataka, is the mausoleum of Mohammed Adil Shah, who was the Sultan of Bijapur. Its construction was completed in 1656.
6. जहाँगीर ने अंग्रेजों को सूरत में व्यापार आरम्भ करने की आज्ञा एक फरमान जारी करके दी जिसे जारी किया – (Jahangir gave permission to the English to start trade in Surat by issuing a farman, which was issued to -)
   (a) विलियम हॉकिन्स (William Hawkins)
   (b) थॉमस एल्डवर्थ (Thomas Aldworth)
   (c) एडवर्ड टैरी (Edward Terry)
   (d) सर टामस रो (Sir Thomas Roe)
   Answer: (b) थॉमस एल्डवर्थ (Thomas Aldworth)
   Explanation: Following a naval victory over the Portuguese in 1612, Emperor Jahangir granted permission in early 1613 to establish a factory at Surat under Thomas Aldworth.
7. अकबर अपने पूर्व शासकों से निम्नलिखित पहलुओं में प्रभावित हुआ सिवाय- (Akbar was influenced by his predecessors in the following aspects, except-)
   (a) धार्मिक सहनशीलता (Religious tolerance)
   (b) राजस्व व्यवस्था (Revenue system)
   (c) सैनिक प्रशासन (Military administration)
   (d) राजपद का सिद्धांत (Theory of kingship)
   Answer: (a) धार्मिक सहनशीलता (Religious tolerance)
   Explanation: Akbar’s policy of religious tolerance (Sulh-i-Kul) was a significant and innovative departure from the practices of his predecessors.
8. ‘दीन-ए-इलाही’ को निम्न में से किसने स्वीकार किया था? (Who among the following accepted ‘Din-i-Ilahi’?)
   (a) राजा टोडरमल (Raja Todar Mal)
   (b) तानसेन (Tansen)
   (c) बीरबल (Birbal)
   (d) राजा मानसिंह (Raja Man Singh)
   Answer: (c) बीरबल (Birbal)
   Explanation: Among Emperor Akbar’s courtiers, Birbal was one of the few, and the only Hindu, to accept the Din-i-Ilahi faith.
9. ताजमहल की वास्तुकला सम्बन्धी विशेषतायें मिलती हैं- (The architectural features of the Taj Mahal are found in-)
   (a) दिल्ली की जामा मस्जिद से (from Jama Masjid, Delhi)
   (b) हैदराबाद की मक्का मस्जिद से (from Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad)
   (c) दिल्ली के हुमायूं के मकबरे से (from Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi)
   (d) बीजापुर के गोलगुम्बज से (from Gol Gumbaz, Bijapur)
   Answer: (c) दिल्ली के हुमायूं के मकबरे से (from Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi)
   Explanation: Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi is considered a direct architectural precursor to the Taj Mahal, influencing its design, layout, and use of a central dome.
10. निम्नलिखित में से किसका साम्राज्य सबसे बड़ा था? (Who among the following had the largest empire?)
    (a) बाबर (Babur)
    (b) अकबर (Akbar)
    (c) जहाँगीर (Jahangir)
    (d) औरंगजेब (Aurangzeb)
    Answer: (d) औरंगजेब (Aurangzeb)
    Explanation: The Mughal Empire reached its maximum territorial extent during the reign of Aurangzeb, covering nearly the entire Indian subcontinent.
11. भारतीय इतिहास में प्रसिद्ध ‘पुरन्दर की सन्धि’ किस वर्ष में हुई थी? (In which year did the famous ‘Treaty of Purandar’ take place in Indian history?)
    (a)638 ई.
    (b)665 ई.
    (c)668 ई.
    (d)655 ई.
    Answer: (b)665 ई.
    Explanation: The Treaty of Purandar was signed on June 11, 1665, between the Mughal general Jai Singh I and the Maratha leader Shivaji.
12. ‘अटाला मस्जिद’ निम्न में से कहाँ स्थित है? (Where is the ‘Atala Masjid’ located?)
    (a) इण्डोनेशिया में (In Indonesia)
    (b) सऊदी अरब में (In Saudi Arabia)
    (c) जौनपुर में (In Jaunpur)
    (d) फैजाबाद में (In Faizabad)
    Answer: (c) जौनपुर में (In Jaunpur)
    Explanation: The Atala Masjid (Mosque) is a famous 14th-century mosque located in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.
13. कोणार्क मन्दिर को किसने बनवाया था? (Who built the Konark temple?)
    (a) नरसिंह देव द्वितीय (Narasimhadeva II)
    (b) राजेन्द्र चोल द्वितीय (Rajendra Chola II)
    (c) अशोक (Ashoka)
    (d) कृष्णदेव राय (Krishnadevaraya)
    Answer: (a) नरसिंह देव द्वितीय (Narasimhadeva II) (Note: The answer key states (a) Narasimhadeva II, but historical consensus attributes it to Narasimhadeva I.)
    Explanation: The Konark Sun Temple was built in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty.
14. अमीर खुसरो का नाम किससे जोड़ा जाता है? (Amir Khusro’s name is associated with what?)
    (a) सितार के आविष्कार से (With the invention of the Sitar)
    (b) सरोद के आविष्कार से (With the invention of the Sarod)
    (c) तबला के आविष्कार से (With the invention of the Tabla)
    (d) शहनाई के आविष्कार से (With the invention of the Shehnai)
    Answer: (a) सितार के आविष्कार से (With the invention of the Sitar)
    Explanation: Amir Khusrau, a versatile 13th-14th century musician and poet, is traditionally credited with the invention of the sitar and the tabla.
15. रामानुज के दर्शन को किस नाम से जाना जाता है? (By what name is the philosophy of Ramanuja known?)
    (a) द्वैताद्वैत के नाम से (as Dvaitadvaita)
    (b) अद्वैत के नाम से (as Advaita)
    (c) विशिष्ट द्वैत के नाम से (as Vishishtadvaita)
    (d) द्वैत के नाम से (as Dvaita)
    Answer: (c) विशिष्ट द्वैत के नाम से (as Vishishtadvaita)
    Explanation: The philosopher-saint Ramanuja is the main proponent of the Vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism) school of Vedanta philosophy.
16. निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा मेल सही है? (Which of the following pairs is correct?)
    (a) नामदेव-केरल (Namdev-Kerala)
    (b) सूरदास-बिहार (Surdas-Bihar)
    (c) चैतन्य-कर्नाटक (Chaitanya-Karnataka)
    (d) नरसिंह मेहता-गुजरात (Narsinh Mehta-Gujarat)
    Answer: (d) नरसिंह मेहता-गुजरात (Narsinh Mehta-Gujarat)
    Explanation: Narsinh Mehta was a 15th-century poet-saint from Gujarat, while Namdev was from Maharashtra, Surdas was from North India, and Chaitanya was from Bengal.
17. निम्नलिखित में से किन पुस्तकों का सही सुमेल है- (Which of the following books is correctly matched-)
    (a) मिताक्षरा-विज्ञानेश्वर (Mitakshara-Vijnanesvara)
    (b) राजतरंगिणी-नामदेव (Rajatarangini-Namdev)
    (c) चारू चिन्तामणि-सोमेश्वर (Charu Chintamani-Someshvara)
    (d) अष्टाध्यायी-कल्हण (Ashtadhyayi-Kalhana)
    Answer: (a) मिताक्षरा-विज्ञानेश्वर (Mitakshara-Vijnanesvara)
    Explanation: The Mitakshara, an influential legal treatise on Hindu law, was written by the 12th-century jurist Vijnanesvara.
18. अशुद्ध जोड़े का पता लगाइये- (Find the incorrect pair-)
    (a) बुद्ध-लुम्बनी (Buddha-Lumbini)
    (b) वेदव्यास-वेदान्त (Vedavyasa-Vedanta)
    (c) तुकाराम-उत्तर प्रदेश (Tukaram-Uttar Pradesh)
    (d) हर्षवर्द्धन-रत्नावली (Harshavardhana-Ratnavali)
    Answer: (c) तुकाराम-उत्तर प्रदेश (Tukaram-Uttar Pradesh)
    Explanation: Sant Tukaram was a revered 17th-century poet-saint from the state of Maharashtra, not Uttar Pradesh.

3. Modern Indian History & Freedom Struggle

This section includes questions on British rule, the 1857 revolt, the Indian National Congress, socio-religious reforms, and key freedom fighters.

1. वह प्रथम यूरोपियन कौन थे? जिन्होंने भारत के साथ व्यापार प्रारम्भ किया? (Who were the first Europeans who started trade with India?)
   (a) ब्रिटिश (British)
   (b) डेनिश (Danish)
   (c) पुर्तगाली (Portuguese)
   (d) डच (Dutch)
   Answer: (c) पुर्तगाली (Portuguese)
   Explanation: The Portuguese were the first Europeans to establish direct trade with India, beginning with Vasco da Gama’s arrival in 1498.
2. The doctrine of lapse was introduced by:
   (A) Lord Hastings
   (B) Lord Wellesly
   (C) Lord Dalhousie
   (D) Lord Bentinck
   Answer: (C) Lord Dalhousie
   Explanation: The Doctrine of Lapse was an annexation policy famously applied by Lord Dalhousie, the Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856.
3. लॉर्ड विलियम बैंटिंक अपने सुधारों के लिए याद किया जाता है. निम्नलिखित में से कौन सा सुधार उसके शासनकाल में लागू नहीं हुआ था? (Lord William Bentinck is remembered for his reforms. Which of the following reforms was not implemented during his reign?)
   (a) सती प्रथा का उन्मूलन (Abolition of Sati)
   (b) दास प्रथा का उन्मूलन (Abolition of Slavery)
   (c) ठगी प्रथा का दमन (Suppression of Thuggee)
   (d) पाश्चात्य शिक्षा का आरम्भ अंग्रेजी को शिक्षा का माध्यम बनाकर (Introduction of Western education with English as the medium)
   Answer: (b) दास प्रथा का उन्मूलन (Abolition of Slavery)
   Explanation: While Bentinck abolished Sati and suppressed Thuggee, the formal abolition of slavery in India was enacted in 1843 under Lord Ellenborough.
4. 1857 के गदर को स्वतंत्रता संग्राम रायरो पहले किराने कहा? (Who first called the 1857 mutiny a war of independence?)
   (a) जवाहर लाल नेहरू (Jawaharlal Nehru)
   (b) बाल गंगाधर तिलक (Bal Gangadhar Tilak)
   (c) बी. डी. सावरकर (V. D. Savarkar)
   (d) लाला लाजपत राय (Lala Lajpat Rai)
   Answer: (c) बी. डी. सावरकर (V. D. Savarkar)
   Explanation: V.D. Savarkar was the first to describe the 1857 revolt as the ‘First War of Independence’ in his 1909 book on the subject.
5. The first census was conducted in India in the year:
   (A)872
   (B)881
   (C)891
   (D)901
   Answer: (A)872
   Explanation: The first all-India census was conducted in 1872, though the first synchronous census was held in 1881.
6. Which was the first newspaper published in India? 1
   (a) Indian Gazette
   (b) Madras Courier
   (c) Bombay Herald
   (d) Bengal Gazette
   Answer: (d) Bengal Gazette
   Explanation: Hicky’s Bengal Gazette, first published in 1780 in Calcutta (now Kolkata), was the first newspaper printed in Asia.
7. भारतीय राष्ट्रीय कांग्रेस का प्रथम अधिवेशन कहाँ हुआ था? (Where was the first session of the Indian National Congress held?)
   (A) इलाहाबाद (Allahabad)
   (B) दिल्ली (Delhi)
   (C) बम्बई (Bombay)
   (D) कलकत्ता (Calcutta)
   Answer: (C) बम्बई (Bombay)
   Explanation: The first session of the Indian National Congress was held in Bombay (now Mumbai) from December 28-31, 1885, at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College.
8. Who was the first women President of Indian National Congress? 1
   (A) Annie Besant
   (B) Sarojini Naidu
   (C) Vijay Laxmi Pandit
   (D) Indira Ghandhi
   Answer: (A) Annie Besant
   Explanation: Annie Besant became the first woman President of the Indian National Congress when she presided over the Calcutta session in 1917. Sarojini Naidu was the first Indian woman to hold the post, in 1925.
9. Who among the following Congress leaders was called the ‘Grand Old man of India’? 1
   (A) Mahatma Gandhi
   (B) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
   (C) Dadabhai Nauroji
   (D) Madan Mohan Malaviya
   Answer: (C) Dadabhai Nauroji
   Explanation: Dadabhai Naoroji, a Parsi intellectual and early Indian nationalist leader, was affectionately known as the “Grand Old Man of India”.
10. “The congress in tottering to its fall and one of my greatest ambitions is to assist it to a peaceful demise.” who said this? 1
    (a) Lord Dufferin
    (b) Lord Curzon
    (c) Winston Churchill
    (d) M.A. Jinnah
    Answer: (b) Lord Curzon
    Explanation: This statement is famously attributed to Lord Curzon, who served as the Viceroy of India from 1899 to 1905. He held a dismissive view of the Indian National Congress and believed its influence was waning.
11. नरमपंथियों ने चरम पंथियों से अलग होने का फैसला किस सन् में किया? (In which year did the Moderates decide to separate from the Extremists?)
    (a)906 में
    (b)907 में
    (c)914 में
    (d)919 में
    Answer: (b)907 में
    Explanation: The Indian National Congress split into two factions, Moderates and Extremists, during the Surat session in 1907 due to ideological differences.
12. कांग्रेस के किस अधिवेशन में 26 जनवरी को स्वतंत्रता दिवस घोषित किया गया? (In which session of Congress was January 26 declared as Independence Day?)
    (a)919
    (b)929
    (c)937
    (d)947
    Answer: (b)929
    Explanation: At the Lahore session in 1929, the Indian National Congress declared Purna Swaraj (complete independence) and decided to celebrate January 26th as Independence Day.
13. सन् 1908 में बाल गंगाधर तिलक को बन्दी बनाकर कहाँ भेज दिया गया था? (In 1908, where was Bal Gangadhar Tilak sent after being imprisoned?)
    (a) सिंगापुर की जेल में (To Singapore jail)
    (b) मांडले की जेल में (To Mandalay jail)
    (c) दिल्ली की जेल में (To Delhi jail)
    (d) अण्डमान एवं निकोबार जेल में। (To Andaman & Nicobar jail)
    Answer: (b) मांडले की जेल में (To Mandalay jail)
    Explanation: In 1908, Bal Gangadhar Tilak was sentenced to six years of imprisonment and exiled to Mandalay Jail in Burma (now Myanmar).
14. निम्नलिखित में से कौन स्वराज पार्टी से सम्बन्धित नहीं था? (Who among the following was not associated with the Swaraj Party?)
    (a) मोतीलाल नेहरू (Motilal Nehru)
    (b) चितरंजन दास (Chittaranjan Das)
    (c) बाल गंगाधर तिलक (Bal Gangadhar Tilak)
    (d) उपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं (None of the above)
    Answer: (c) बाल गंगाधर तिलक (Bal Gangadhar Tilak)
    Explanation: The Swaraj Party was formed in 1923 by Motilal Nehru and Chittaranjan Das; Bal Gangadhar Tilak had passed away in 1920.
15. स्वराज पार्टी के संस्थापक कौन थे? (Who was the founder of the Swaraj Party?)
    (a) मोती लाल नेहरू (Motilal Nehru)
    (b) बाल गंगाधर तिलक (Bal Gangadhar Tilak)
    (c) सी. राजगोपाला चारी (C. Rajagopalachari)
    (d) सरदार बल्लभ भाई पटेल (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel)
    Answer: (a) मोती लाल नेहरू (Motilal Nehru)
    Explanation: The Swaraj Party was founded in 1923 by Chittaranjan Das as president and Motilal Nehru as secretary.
16. Which was the first modern trade union in India? 1
    (a) Calcutta Labour Union
    (b) Madras Labour Union
    (c) Bombay Trade Union
    (d) Ahmedabad Trade Union
    Answer: (b) Madras Labour Union
    Explanation: The Madras Labour Union, founded in 1918 by B.P. Wadia, is considered India’s first organized modern trade union.
17. In which year was the all India Trade Union Congress established? 1
    (a)925
    (b)929
    (c)920
    (d)930
    Answer: (c)920
    Explanation: The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) was founded in 1920.
18. The Indian Independence League was set up by- 1
    (a) Rash Behari Bose
    (b) Aruna Asif Ali
    (c) S.M. Joshi
    (d) Jayaprakash Narayan.
    Answer: (a) Rash Behari Bose
    Explanation: The Indian Independence League was a political organization founded by Indian nationalists, most notably Rash Behari Bose, operating outside India to secure its independence from British rule.
19. निम्नलिखित में से कौन आजाद हिन्द फौज से सम्बन्धित है? (Who among the following is associated with the Azad Hind Fauj?)
    (a) शरत चन्द्र बोस (Sarat Chandra Bose)
    (b) शाह नवाज खान (Shah Nawaz Khan)
    (c) आसफ अली (Asaf Ali)
    (d) अली जहीर (Ali Zaheer)
    Answer: (b) शाह नवाज खान (Shah Nawaz Khan)
    Explanation: Shah Nawaz Khan was a prominent officer in the Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) and was famously tried at the Red Fort Trials for his role.
20. Who was not an activist of Khilafat Movement in India among the following? 1
    (a) Shaukat Ali
    (b) Hakim Ajmal Khan
    (c) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
    (d) Mohammed Ali Jinnah
    Answer: (d) Mohammed Ali Jinnah
    Explanation: The Khilafat Movement was led by figures like the Ali brothers (Shaukat Ali and Muhammad Ali Jauhar) and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. Mohammed Ali Jinnah was not associated with the movement and was critical of its approach of mixing religion with politics.
21. “Give me your blood, I shall give your independence” who said it? 1
    (A) Subhash Chandra Bose
    (B) Aurobindo Ghose
    (C) Bhagat Singh
    (D) Chandrashekhar Azad
    Answer: (A) Subhash Chandra Bose
    Explanation: This famous quote is attributed to Subhas Chandra Bose, who used it to motivate his soldiers in the Indian National Army.
22. “स्वराज्य हमारा जन्म सिद्ध अधिकार है” यह नारा किसने दिया? (“Swarajya is my birthright” – who gave this slogan?)
    (a) सुभाष चन्द्र बोस (Subhas Chandra Bose)
    (b) बाल गंगाधर तिलक (Bal Gangadhar Tilak)
    (c) लाल बहादुर शास्त्री (Lal Bahadur Shastri)
    (d) जवाहर लाल नेहरू (Jawaharlal Nehru)
    Answer: (b) बाल गंगाधर तिलक (Bal Gangadhar Tilak)
    Explanation: Bal Gangadhar Tilak famously declared, “Swarajya is my birthright and I shall have it.” 1
23. ‘इन्कलाब जिन्दाबाद’ का नारा किसने दिया था? (Who gave the slogan ‘Inquilab Zindabad’?)
    (a) चन्द्रशेखर आजाद ने (Chandrashekhar Azad)
    (b) मोहम्मद इकबाल ने (Mohammad Iqbal)
    (c) भगत सिंह ने (Bhagat Singh)
    (d) सुभाष चन्द्र बोस ने (Subhas Chandra Bose)
    Answer: (b) मोहम्मद इकबाल ने (Mohammad Iqbal) (Note: The answer key says (b), but the slogan was coined by Maulana Hasrat Mohani and popularized by Bhagat Singh.)
    Explanation: The slogan “Inquilab Zindabad” was coined by Urdu poet and freedom fighter Maulana Hasrat Mohani in 1921 and was later popularized by Bhagat Singh.
24. गांधी जी के राजनीतिक गुरु एक तरह से थे- (Gandhi ji’s political guru was-)
    (a) मोतीलाल नेहरू (Motilal Nehru)
    (b) गोपाल कृष्ण गोखले (Gopal Krishna Gokhale)
    (c) दादा भाई नौरोजी (Dadabhai Naoroji)
    (d) सुरेन्द्रनाथ बनर्जी (Surendranath Banerjee)
    Answer: (b) गोपाल कृष्ण गोखले (Gopal Krishna Gokhale)
    Explanation: Mahatma Gandhi considered Gopal Krishna Gokhale his political guru.
25. Who is known as the ‘Deenabandhu’? 1
    (a) S.K. Ghosh
    (b) C.F. Andrews
    (c) M.M. Malviya
    (d) Lord Rippon.
    Answer: (b) C.F. Andrews
    Explanation: Charles Freer Andrews, a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, was given the title ‘Deenabandhu’ (friend of the poor).
26. किसने कहा वेदों की तरफ जाओ? (Who said “Go back to the Vedas”?)
    (a) दयानन्द सरस्वती (Dayananda Saraswati)
    (b) विवेकानन्द (Vivekananda)
    (c) रामकृष्ण परमहंस (Ramakrishna Paramahamsa)
    (d) राजा राममोहन राय (Raja Ram Mohan Roy)
    Answer: (a) दयानन्द सरस्वती (Dayananda Saraswati)
    Explanation: Swami Dayananda Saraswati, the founder of the Arya Samaj, gave the call “Back to the Vedas.” 1
27. The ‘Radha Swami Satsang’ was founded by:
    (a) Siva Dayal Saheb
    (b) Siva Agnihotri
    (c) Ram Bajpai
    (d) Harinder Singh.
    Answer: (a) Siva Dayal Saheb
    Explanation: The Radha Soami spiritual movement was founded by Shiv Dayal Singh (Siva Dayal Saheb).
28. Arrange the following in chronological order. I. Brahma Samaj II. Ramakrishna Mission III. Theosophical Society IV. Arya Samaj.
    (a) I,IV, II, III
    (b) IV, III, II, I
    (c) III, II, IV, I
    (d) IV, II, I, III.
    Answer: (a) I,IV, II, III
    Explanation: The correct chronological order is: Brahma Samaj (1828), Arya Samaj (1875), Theosophical Society (founded 1875, moved to India 1882), and Ramakrishna Mission (1897).
29. भारत के स्वतन्त्र होने के समय ब्रिटेन में किस दल का शासन था? (Which party was in power in Britain at the time of India’s independence?)
    (a) लेबर (Labour)
    (b) कंजरबेटिक (Conservative)
    (c) लिबरल (Liberal)
    (d) राष्ट्रीय सरकार थी (It was a national government)
    Answer: (a) लेबर (Labour)
    Explanation: In 1947, when India gained independence, the Labour Party was in power in the United Kingdom, with Clement Attlee as the Prime Minister.
30. देश को जब स्वतंत्रता मिली उस समय भारत का गवर्नर जनरल कौन था? (Who was the Governor-General of India when the country got independence?)
    (a) लॉर्ड एटली (Lord Attlee)
    (b) लॉर्ड माउन्टबेटन (Lord Mountbatten)
    (c) लॉर्ड फाल्कलैंड (Lord Falkland)
    (d) इनमें से कोई नहीं (None of these)
    Answer: (b) लॉर्ड माउन्टबेटन (Lord Mountbatten)
    Explanation: Lord Mountbatten was the last Viceroy of British India and served as the first Governor-General of independent India in 1947.
31. The author of Anandmath is :
    (A) Rabindranath Tagore
    (B) Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
    (C) Sarojini Naidu
    (D) Sri Aurobindo
    Answer: (B) Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
    Explanation: “Anandmath” is a famous Bengali novel written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, from which India’s national song, “Vande Mataram,” is taken.
32. Who wrote Vande Matarani? 1
    (A) Sarat Chandra Chatterjee
    (B) Ravindra Nath Tagore
    (C) Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
    (D) Mahatma Gandhi
    Answer: (C) Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
    Explanation: “Vande Mataram” is a poem from Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s 1882 novel Anandamath. It was adopted as the national song of India.
33. Which of the following is incorrectly matched? 1
    (a) Deccan Riots-Maharashtra
    (b) Bardoli Movement-Gujarat
    (c) Pabna Movement-West Bengal
    (d) Moplah Revolt-Kerala
    Answer: (c) Pabna Movement-West Bengal
    Explanation: The Pabna revolt occurred in the Pabna district of modern-day Bangladesh, which was part of the Bengal Presidency in British India, not specifically modern West Bengal.

4. World History & Miscellaneous

This section includes questions on world events, famous personalities, and historical literature.

1. Match the following:
   (a) Woodrow Wilson (1) Germany
   (b) Lenin (2) England
   (c) Kaiser William II (3) America
   (d) Lloyd George (4) Russia
   Answer: (a)-(3), (b)-(4), (c)-(1), (d)-(2)
   Explanation: Woodrow Wilson (President of America), Lenin (Leader of Russia), Kaiser Wilhelm II (Emperor of Germany), and Lloyd George (Prime Minister of England).
2. ‘मनुष्य स्वतंत्र जन्म लेता है पर हर जगह वह बेड़ियों से जकड़ा हुआ है कहा है- (“Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains” – who said this?)
   (a) जीन जैक्यूस रूसो (Jean-Jacques Rousseau)
   (b) वालटेयर (Voltaire)
   (c) मॉटेसक्यू (Montesquieu)
   (d) कार्ल मार्क्स (Karl Marx)
   Answer: (a) जीन जैक्यूस रूसो (Jean-Jacques Rousseau)
   Explanation: This is a famous quote from “The Social Contract” by philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
3. “स्वर्ग में सेवा करने से नरक में शासन करना अच्छा है”, यह किसने कहा है? (“Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav’n”, who said this?)
   (a) शेक्सपियर ने (Shakespeare)
   (b) मिल्टन ने (Milton)
   (c) कीट्स ने (Keats)
   (d) वर्डसवर्थ ने (Wordsworth)
   Answer: (b) मिल्टन ने (Milton)
   Explanation: This famous line is spoken by Satan in John Milton’s epic poem ‘Paradise Lost’.
4. What is calligraphy? 1
   (A) Beautiful handwriting
   (B) Sculpture
   (C) Engraving of iscriptions
   (D) Advanced style of painting
   Answer: (A) Beautiful handwriting
   Explanation: Calligraphy is the art of producing decorative handwriting or lettering with a pen or brush.
5. ‘एशियन ड्रामा’ में गुन्नार मिर्डल ने विवेचना की है (In ‘Asian Drama’, Gunnar Myrdal has discussed)
   (a) एशियाई देशों में गरीबी की (Poverty in Asian countries)
   (b) एशियाई देशों में आधुनिक उद्योगों की (Modern industries in Asian countries)
   (c) एशिया में सैनिक तानाशाही से सम्बन्धित समस्या के बारे में (About the problem related to military dictatorship in Asia)
   (d) एशियाई देशों में नव-उपनिवेशवाद के सम्बन्ध में (Regarding neo-colonialism in Asian countries)
   Answer: (a) एशियाई देशों में गरीबी की (Poverty in Asian countries)
   Explanation: Gunnar Myrdal’s 1968 book ‘Asian Drama’ is subtitled “An Inquiry into the Poverty of Nations,” focusing on underdevelopment and poverty in South Asia.